Topeka mixed martial arts center builds roster of gladiators

Saturday

Dec 28, 2013 at 3:52 PM

Jan Biles

About six years ago, Topeka resident Joe Herman competed in a Tough Man-type competition in downtown Topeka. Although he was beaten badly, he continued to be interested in the sports aspect of mixed martial arts.

So, when he was asked to participate in a fight earlier this year, he agreed. The match pitted Herman against a fighter trained at Heston’s Gladiator Academy in Shawnee North Community Center.

"The fight ended in 47 seconds," he said.

Although he lost the fight, Scott Heston, founder of the academy, asked Herman to train at the facility and promised to get him bigger and better fights.

Herman, a 32-year-old Army veteran who served in Iraq, has been training at Heston’s Gladiator Academy since mid-November. He trains every day and is preparing for his last amateur fight on Jan. 30. He intends to start competing in professional mixed martial arts competitions after that.

"I’m in the best gym I can be in," he said. "If I don’t fight in Las Vegas in a year, I’ll be disappointed in myself."

Heston, a former Marine who began martial arts training at age 5, opened Heston’s Gladiator Academy in 2002. A professional mixed martial arts fighter since 2011, with a 6-0 record this year, he also is a wrestler, boxer and founder of the Gladiator Fighting Association, which promotes mixed martial arts competitions.

The academy offers mixed martial arts training to those of all skill levels who want to compete, work out or learn self-defense skills.

"A lot of people are intimidated to come in that first time, but we have a laid-back atmosphere and you can get whatever you want out of it, whether it’s self-defense, a workout or professional fighting," he said.

Heston said he has helped train Daniel Gallemore and Josh Zabokrtsky, both U.S. amateur mixed martial arts champions, and Tabby Patterson, who recently was featured in a televised match against Ultimate Fighter Championship star Marina Shafir.

Herman said his training includes sparring with a heavy punching bag, using his arms and hands to shake a thick, heavy rope and honing stand-up striking skills and wrestling and other on-the-ground skills.

Injuries from fighting and training are frequent, he said. In a recent fight, he tore ligaments and tendons in his right hand.

"Stitches are common," he added.

Heston said mixed martial arts, which takes place in a cage or ring, is much safer than boxing. Unlike boxing, where a fighter can be on the mat for 10 seconds, get back up and continue fighting, a mixed martial arts fighter can "tap out" to escape a choking hold or serious injury.

Mixed martial arts, he said, also is a competition involving mental strategy as much as physical skill and strength. Like a chess match, fighters must be aware of their competitor’s movements and how they can counter them to their advantage.

"It’s a calculated dance," Herman said. "You have to be smart to fight."

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